Vermeer Impressive with Solo Effort

Vermeer Impressive with Solo Effort

Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

JULY 30, 2014: Though on his own against the might of two-man teams of elite riders from all around New Zealand, Masterton’s Reuben Vermeer was coolness personified on Sunday.

The Yamaha ace headed into battle at the opening round of three in the annual Woodhill Two-man cross-country series near Auckland at the weekend armed only with raw talent and his trusted YZ450F bike and he emerged at the end of the day with the ironman trophy firmly in his grasp.

Vermeer finished an impressive sixth overall among the 100-plus two-rider entries, proving that both he and his bike were just as fast and reliable as any team over the race’s three-hour duration.

Outright winners were none other than the defending champions from last year, Kaukapakapa’s Josh Jack and Muriwai’s Luke Mobberley, although they were made to work hard to secure their first-round honours.

BikesportNZ.com-supported pair Jack and Mobberley found themselves behind the Yamaha pairing of Chris Power (Yamaha YZ250) and Mitchell Nield (Yamaha YZ125) soon after the start of the three-hour race.

But Jack pushed through to take over the lead on the fifth lap of six and the Jack-Mobberley combo maintained that position until the end, eventually winning the race by a little over 30 seconds.

Auckland’s James Ainsworth and Daniel Nieuwenhuyzen held third place early on in the race until lap four when 14-year-old Auckland rider Jake Wightman, straight from his junior win at the Dirt Guide Series near Tokoroa the day before, powered past him to snatch away third spot.

Wightman’s team-mate, James Mancer (Yamaha YZ250), extended the lead and the young team eventually claimed third overall by four minutes.

Round two of the Spectrum Woodhill Two-Man Cross Country series is set for Sunday, August 31, with the third and final round due on Sunday, September 28.

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